The Dallas Stars will have to find a way to pick up a few extra wins heading into the final stretch of the season, and they’ll get their first true opportunity to do so on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After missing out on the postseason the past few years, they’ll look to add to their 2012 NHL odds any way they can.

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Although, sure, the Pens sit just sixth in the Eastern Conference, there’s no denying their legitimacy as a Stanley Cup futures contender. Even without Sidney Crosby the depth and experience of the team puts them as a threat on the NHL betting line.

With 10/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup according to Bovada’s oddsmakers - the fifth highest such mark in the NHL - they’ve proven that reputation matters.

That will be a hard fact to shake when Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson look to launch the Stars into the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Dallas has increased their season point totals in each of the last three years but fell just short in 2011 with 95 points.

Is a return to the postseason in the cards? They do have 60/1 odds on the NHL futures line. Fans and bettors alike will get a better idea of what to expect out of Dallas after the Wednesday clash with slightly-favored Pittsburgh.

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